Taunton residents take part in annual Earth Day cleanup on Saturday

TAUNTON — Saturday’s Earth Day cleanup in Taunton, although a bit soggy, came off without a hitch, according to Karen Kullas.

Kullas, who helped organize the citywide event, said this was the first time in 24 years volunteers collecting trash had to contend with a steady rain.

“We’ve had sprinkles a few times, but not rain,” she said, adding that once a date is set for Earth Day cleanup, the event is never postponed due to rain.

Kullas and LeeAnn Tavares began coordinating the event in 1990 after forming their Taunton Ecological Awareness Movement, also known as T.E.A.M.

She said at least 100 volunteers showed up Saturday to work half a day collecting litter and trash throughout 20 designated areas of the Silver City, which geographically is the largest city in the commonwealth.

Kullas said about 50 people representing half a dozen business and nonprofits also picked up trash in five areas on Friday.

She said it makes sense to encourage any group unable to participate on the traditional Saturday to do so the day before.

She also noted this was the first time volunteers visited East Taunton’s Frank Sikorski Softball Field, an isolated piece of city property that has been the target of graffiti and illegal dumping in recent years.

Kullas said volunteers collected 100 bags of trash and more than 50 discarded tires in the immediate vicinity of the old ball field.

She also said a handful of volunteers throughout the city — who quit early Saturday because of the inclement weather — promised to come back Sunday to finish the job.

Some three dozen business and individuals contributed money, materials and manpower toward this year’s cleanup effort, Kullas said.

“This is my first time, and I’m so glad I did it,” said Ida Tome of Taunton.

Tome said she volunteered to clean up trash in the area of Baker Road West near Taunton Sports Club.

“I have to drive by there twice a day. It looks so much fresher now,” she said.

City Councilman John McCaul said he also pitched in on Baker Road West.

McCaul asked the City Council’s police and license committee last week for an update from the police department about the effectiveness of a surveillance-system camera installed during the past year on Caswell Street — in an area not far from the municipal airport in East Taunton.

McCaul said he’s received numerous complaints from constituents about illegal dumping in that wooded area.

He cited Easton as having had success prosecuting people caught on surveillance illegally dumping trash. McCaul said Taunton should be able to do the same.

Council member Sherry Costa Hanlon, who also volunteered, said people, in general, tend to become “disengaged” when it comes to being concerned about the environment and the overall message of Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22.

Costa Hanlon also said part of the problem with large items being dumped at Caswell Street and other sites can be attributed to disreputable individuals whom homeowners pay to haul away and dispose of trash and refuse.